Financing Your Degree

Undergraduate Students

College is a major investment for students and their families. As a public, state university, the University of Maryland is a more affordable option than many other colleges and universities, but many students and families still need financial assistance to help afford a college education.

All students are expected to contribute towards the cost of their college education, but how much you and your family will be expected to contribute depends on your financial situation—and is what is referred to as your Expected Family Contribution or EFC. Every student should complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Financial Student Aid. FAFSA is the application used by nearly all colleges and universities to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution and eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs. To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete and submit a FAFSA. Submitting this application gives you access to the largest pool of financial aid dollars and loans with the best terms.

The School of Public Health also provides some scholarships for undergraduate students in need, including:

The Jerry P. Wrenn Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Jerry P. Wrenn. Dr. Wrenn was a faculty member, student advisor, assistant/associate dean of student services, and finally dean of the College of Health and Human Performance (which became the School of Public Health), where his commitment to undergraduate education was well-known. Each year, this Scholarship helps fund outstanding SPH seniors who demonstrate financial need. The Jerry P. Wrenn Endowed Scholarship was originally established in 2008. Since the beginning, it has provided assistance for eight to 10 SPH students per year. Students in all SPH degree programs, including Public Health Science students at Shady Grove, are eligible to apply for a Wrenn scholarship if they meet the academic requirements.

In order to qualify students must have:

A minimum of 90 applicable credits (a minimum of 32 must have been earned at UMD College Park)

Have your primary major in the School of Public Health

A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

A current FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid office on campus

For more information on how to apply, please contact Dr. Farmer, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the School of Public Health.

School of Public Health Student Emergency Scholarship

This emergency fund was established to help current students when they are confronted with a financial emergency that could prevent them from remaining in school. The funds are used to respond to immediate financial situations that directly impact the student's ability to attend and function in classes. In response to current economic conditions, this special emergency fund was established and has already been able to provide immediate assistance to help keep students in school.

For more information on how to apply, please contact Jessica Duque, Assistant Director of Finance and Administration in the School of Public Health.

SPH Scholarship Fund

The School of Public Health continuously raises funds to support seniors with financial need. Selected seniors will receive a $1000 scholarship. In order to qualify students must have completed at least 90 credits and have a current FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid. Calls for applications are sent out periodically during the academic year.

Brooks' scholarship filled the financial gap he faced to register for his last semester of classes. Why not help make that difference for another future public health leader? Give now: go.umd.edu/gdph

For more information on how to apply, please contact Dr. Farmer, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the School of Public Health.

TerpStart Scholarships

The School of Public Health currently has nine funded scholarships:

Mockenhaupt-Popp TerpStart

Whitlark TerpStart

Hahn Family TerpStart

Furman/Miller TerpStart

Ruth & George Douglas Hatfield TerpStart

Carl & Barbara Alving TerpStart

Gold Family TerpStart

Carolyn Brown & Mark Dumolien TerpStart

Elaine Anderson & Mark Ginsburg TerpStart

In order to qualify for a TerpStart Scholarship students must demonstrate financial need, meet any restrictions associated with the award (program of study, freshman/transfer student, etc.), and maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree. Recipients are awarded a $1000 scholarship for Fall and Spring semesters so long as they meet eligbility.

For more information on how to apply, please contact Dr. Farmer, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs in the School of Public Health.

Other strategies for identifying financial support to afford college include applying for national grants, local scholarships, and public service programs. National grants include Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, and National SMART Grants. Ask your guidance counselor for assistance identifying other grant programs. Many local civic and religious institutions often have financial aid available in the form of scholarships. Contact those organizations in your home community and with which you and your family are involved to learn what is available. Finally, public service programs, such as Peace Corp, AmeriCorps, National Health Services Corps, and ROTC programs offer college money in exchange for a service commitment after college. Explore these options to see if one might fit with your academic and career goals.

UMD Career Center Bright Futures

The Bright Futures Unpaid Internship Scholarship awards student with need-based scholarships ranigng from $250-$1,250 to help offset expenses incurred during unpaid internships. If you are an undergraduate student who has secured an unpaid internship with a non-profit or government agency you are eligible to apply.

To apply for this scholarship, or for more information, please click here.

Other Financial Aid Options

The Federal Government provides aid to more than 10 million students each year with grants, low interest loans and work-study programs. The Federal student aid programs are the largest source of student aid in America. These programs provide more than $80 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance.

Freshman applying to University of Maryland, you will automatically be considered for several university scholarships. Transfer students may apply for the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship if they qualify.

Scholarships may be also available from the Federal and State government, local companies or your parent's workplace.